[Durban - 15 March 2011] Port operator Transnet Port Terminals' Durban RoRo, Maydon Wharf & Agribulk Terminal will participate in the nationwide Men in the Making day on Thursday 24 March, giving more young men the opportunity to witness first-hand the inner workings of the Maydon Wharf operation of the terminal.

The Men in the Making project is spearheaded by vehicle tracking company Tracker. Its primary objective is to help raise responsible young men by introducing them to role models, career guidance, mentoring, life skills development and moral regeneration.

Ten boys from George Campbell Technical High School in Durban's CBD will spend the day in the port. They will shadow managers from Transnet Port Terminals as they go about their work to learn more about the maritime industry.

Transnet Port Terminals Acting Chief Executive Karl Socikwa said, "Human capital development is high on Transnet's agenda due to the serious shortage of mission critical skills and expertise in the transport and logistics sector, which is a vital cog in the wheels of our economy.

"It is important that this kind of exposure begins at an early age, firstly so that learners making career choices are aware of the possibilities available to them, and secondly so that those who acquire relevant tertiary qualifications have had some degree of practical exposure to this business environment," he said.

Johann Botha, Maydon Wharf business unit executive, said the terminal's participation in the Men in the Making initiative since 2009 had dovetailed with the popular Take a Girl Child to Work Day.

"Men in the Making specifically focuses on the needs of male learners as they endeavour to make important choices about their lives.

"We have an obligation to educate and positively impact on the lives of boy-children, too, so that they grow to be responsible citizens and future leaders of our country," he said.

The ten boys from George Campbell Technical High School will see how cargo such as grains, woodchips, animal feed, containers, fertiliser, timber and steel, is handled and shipped at the terminal.

They will also gain insight into the diversity of careers available within the ports of South Africa.


ENDS

About the Author
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is a division of Transnet Limited, South Africa's state-owned freight logistics and transport company.
It provides efficient and reliable cargo-handling services at terminals situated across seven South African ports - Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha, Port Elizabeth, Ngqura and East London. TPT customers include shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners.

Operations cover import and export operations across the following cargo sectors: Containers, Mineral Bulk and the Agricultural Bulk and RoRo Sector.

Since November 2009, Karl Socikwa has been at the helm of TPT as Acting Chief Executive. The company has a staff complement of over 5000.

For information, visit www.transnetportterminals.net


Issued by:
Jozi Donjeany
Meropa Communications
Cell: 079898 2211
jozid@meropa.co.za